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Sunday, December 5, 2010

We started a new family Holiday tradition last year and I think the timing couldn't have been more perfect. With this tradition came a new member to our family called The Elf on the Shelf. The story goes like this: "Like most children through the ages, they want to know how Santa really knows who was naughty or who was nice. Their answer, will come in the form of a small "pixie-elf."

The first time the elf arrived at our home, we officially adopted him by giving him a name. Each year he will arrive around the holidays. His sole responsibility is to watch the children's behavior and report it to Santa each night. The next morning after the children wake, they will discover the elf has returned from the North Pole and will be resting in a new and different place.

"To better preserve his mystique the children are not allowed to touch him but talking to him is a different matter all together." Our girls will hopefully share many secrets with the elf. "While he will be under strict orders not to talk to them, the elf is under no such orders where grown-ups are concerned."

Unwittingly, the tradition will provide an added benefit (hence the reason the new found tradition starts at the perfect time in our household): it will help the girlies to better control themselves. Just a gentle reminder that the "elf is watching," for errant behavior to be modified.

Last year, I read the book Elf on the Shelf for the first time to my oldest daughter Annabelle. The story is about the elf and what he is all about. After, I read the book to her I asked her to think about giving the elf a name when she found him the next morning.

Image via The Elf on the Shelf

When Annabelle awoke the next morning, the elf was perched on top of the armoire looking at her as she sat at her place at the kitchen table. Later that day, we came up with the name Fritz. When I looked up the meaning of the name, I found it to be most appropriate: peace keeper.

Already, Jon and I love our new addition to the family. He kept Annabelle in place over the holidays. Fritz made his appearance this morning and I look forward to him helping keep our two girls in place. If only we could find a similar helper that stayed the entire year and not just during the Christmas holidays. ;)

Fritz

This year, I think our elf will need a little accessory. How cute is the skirt for the little elves?

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